Game apparatus



(No Model.) 2' Sheets-Sheet 1.

' F. L. FITHIAN.

' GAME APPARATUS. Y

No. 473,218. Patented Apr. 19, 1892.

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xMtb A (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2-.

P.-L.- PITHIAN. GAME APPARATUS.,

No 473.218. Patented Apr. 19, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK L. FITHIAI T, OF HADDONFIELD, NEWV JERSEY.

GAM E APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,218, dated April 19, 1892.

Application filed October 31, 1891. Serial No. 410,466- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK L. FITHIAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Haddonfield, in the State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to game apparatus; and it consists of a structure in which the essential features are a rotating wheel mounted by a central shaft upon a suitable standard, a spring or equivalent tensioning device between the supporting-standard and the wheel, mechanism to hold the wheel in position after being tensioned by the spring, and mechanism which, when struck by a ball or other means, acts upon the mechanism which holds the wheel and thereby releases the latter, al

. lowing it to rotate, the face of the wheel being divided ofi into sectional spaces by radial lines from the center, with numbers or other devices painted upon the face of the wheel in each of the sections. The main supportingstand for the Whole device upon which the wheel and its mechanism is maintained is provided with a device attached thereto adapted to shoot a ball against the releasing mechanism, and this device is preferably a ball tied to an elastic cord, the other end of which is fastened to the main supportingframe.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus, showing the wheel supporting stand and the shooting device, the rotating wheel, the centrally-fulcrumed lever which holds the wheel when tensioned, the spring mechanism for tensioning the latter, and the mechanism which, when struck by the ball, releases the lever. Fig. 2 is aplan view showing the face of the rotating wheel. Fig. 3 is a side view of a modification of the apparatus, showing the wheel mounted vertically upon an upright instead of a horizontal standard; and Fig. 4 is a front view thereof.

The game to be played by the apparatus is to rotate the wheel a few turns by hand against the force of the spring until it is tightly tensioned, when it is held in that position by moving forward one free end of the centrallyfnlcrumed lever, which end fits in one of the notches in the periphery of the wheel. The ball-shooting apparatus strikes the battingface of a free shaft, the outer end of which when struck is moved against the other free end of the centrally-fulcrumed lever, thereby releasing the tensioned wheel, which then rapidly rotates. The face of the Wheel being divided off into sectional spaces and marked with numbers or other devices will stop its rotation when the tension is overcome, and a numeral or other device on the face of the wheel will then be opposite an index-point marked upon the standard supporting the wheel.

The game has a double object in that it requires skill to shoot the ball against the batting-face of the releasing device, and secondly, in that it is uncertain what number or other device on the face of the wheel will beoppositethe index-point when it stops in its rotation.

A represents a suitable horizontal stand or support, at one end of which is a horizontal wheel-supporting standard B. A wheel 0 is provided with a fixed shaft a, proceeding from its center, upon which it rotates and which is supported on the standard B. The face of the wheel is divided off into sectional spaces a a by lines radiating from the center, and in the sectional spaces are marked the numbers 1, 2, 8, &c., respectively, or any other device. On the face of the standard 13, at a point beyond the periphery of the wheel, is painted or marked an index-finger n, pointing toward the center of the wheel. The periphery of the wheel 0 is notched at points cl (1 about opposite each one or more of the sectional spaces a a. In the wheel-supporting standard B, at a point some little distance beyond the periphery of the wheel, is fulcrumed about at its middle a bar or lever D, one free end of which is adapted to be inserted in one of the notches d of the rotating wheel,and when in this position its other free end will be at a very small angle to the upright, this free end extending downward back of the standard B. Through the frame-post B, which supports the said standard B and parallel thereto, is a small shaft E, with a batting-face e. The free end of this shaft is adapted to strike against the lower free end of the centrally-fulcrumed lever. Aspring H extends from the supporting-frame to the periphery of the wheel, and this may be in the shape of arnbber band, as shown in the drawings, or any other equivalent spring device between these two parts, whereby when the wheel is turned in one direction it will be tensioned by pulling against the spring, and is then maintained in that position by the upper free end of the centrally-fulcrumed lever D, said free end being pushed into one of the notches d on the periphery of the wheel.

It is obvious that the rotating wheel may be mounted upon an upright instead of a horizontal standard and the other parts adapted relatively to correspond, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4:; but in such case the wheel must be made accurately true, in order to insure evenness of weight in every part of its periphery, which is not as essential when the wheel is mounted horizon tally, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

At the base A of the apparatus is provided a device to shoot a ball against the batting face of the releasing mechanism E, and this shooting device may be of any wel1known form for such a purpose to shoot a ball by trigger, releasing the spring, or any other equivalent mechanism for that purpose.

I prefer for cheapness the device shown in the drawings, which consists of a piece of elastic cord L, one end fastened to the face of the horizontal stand A, and to the other end is fastened a small rubber ball on. The elastic cord being distended by holding the ball in the hand and pulling the cord outward, the ball when released is shot forward against the batting face of the releasing mechanism. This form of ball-shooting device is more-uncertain to hit the mark than any other form known to me and makes the playing of that part of the game a little more difficult and therefore more interesting.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A game apparatus consisting of a fixed wheel-supporting standard, a rotating wheel centrally mounted thereon, spring mechanism to adjustably tension the same, a lever-arm pivoted at about its longitudinal center in saidsupporting-standard,mechanismbetween the inner free end of said lever-arm and the Wheel to adj ustably lock or retain the lattcrin a tensioned position, and a free shaft mounted in said standard, provided with a batting-face and adapted to contact with the outer free end of the said locking-lever and thereby release the tensioned wheel, said parts being constructed and combined and operating substantially as described.

2. A game apparatus consisting of the following elements: a supporting device, upon which is mounted a rotating wheel, mechanisn1 to tension the same, and mechaism to retain the same in its tensioned positi0n,releasing mechanism operating against the wheelretaining mechanism, and a ball-shooting device upon the supporting-standard, adapted to actuate the releasing mechanism, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature this 16th day of October, A. D. 1891.

FRANK L. FITHIAN.

Vitnesses:

GEO. W. REED, II. T. FENTON. 

